Chautauqua Lake is a vibrant ecosystem fed by a 100,000-acre watershed made up of almost 300 miles of streams. Alongside restoration of natural streambanks and tributaries, the Alliance and our Members also strive to improve human-made stormwater infrastructure by strategically implementing best management practices in an effort to: 

• Slow stormwater velocity to reduce erosion and sediment transfer to Chautauqua Lake

• Promote natural infiltration of stormwater to reduce water volume and nutrients, which can fuel nuisance plant and algae growth

• Plant trees and shrubs, which intercept rainfall, reduce erosion, and perform biofiltration

• Complement annual lake maintenance with long-term watershed rehabilitation using a variety of funding sources

Please click the project buttons below to learn more.

 

Featured Project: Lakewood/Busti Precision Swales Retrofit

• Improvements to ~4,600 linear feet of roadside swales in Lakewood and Busti
• Incorporation of salt-tolerant native deep-rooted plants which help to reduce nutrient concentrations
• Includes specially-designed Phosphorus-binding media aimed at reducing nutrient concentrations
• Planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses to act as biofilters and to provide bank stabilization